Idiot Box

The Ax Man Cometh

Networks cut losses

With only a couple of sign-offs left to go, the fall/spring 2013/2014 TV season is more or less over. The broadcast networks celebrated the finale week by killing off a whole bunch of not-very-beloved shows. And “Community.”

ABC

“The Assets”—based on the true story of convicted spy Aldrich Ames—was designed as an eight-part miniseries, but it debuted as the lowest-rated drama ever on the Big Three networks. Within a week, ABC canceled the remaining episodes. James Caan wasn’t enough to lure viewers to the divorced mom sitcom “Back in the Game.”“Betrayal,” the TV show that everybody thought was “Revenge” but wasn’t, disappeared after a single, lackluster season.Campy crime saga “Killer Women” was shot in New Mexico—before it was shot by the network. Forgettable lottery drama “Lucky 7” was actually the first show of the season to be canceled for record-setting bad ratings. The crime-comedy “Mind Games” became Christian Slater’s fourth series in a row to tank in its first season. The drunk-dating sitcom “Mixology” took much longer to drop than expected. Aliens-in-suburbia laugher “The Neighbors” couldn’t land enough laughs for another season. ABC wished its spinoff of “Once Upon a Time,” “Once Upon a Time in Wonderland,” was more successful. But it wasn’t.Despite its solid cast, “Suburgatory” bowed out in its third season. Bridesmaids star Rebel Wilson couldn’t secure a second season for her vehicle “Super Fun Night.” The network also divorced itself from “Trophy Wife.”

NBC

Alfonso Cuarón and J.J. Abrams’ expensive sci-fi/supernatural series “Believe” couldn’t find itself any believers. The epically silly “Dracula” got a stake through its heart. Dan Harmon’s cult fave “Community” survived five rocky seasons at the Peacock Network. It could still be revived by Netflix or some other sympathetic, non-net outlet. There’s no way the poorly conceived “Crisis”—about evil kidnappers who have taken the children of Washington’s elite—was going to survive more than a season. Despite premiering in a cushy, post-Olympics timeslot, “Growing Up Fisher” didn’t last. The doomed reboot of “Ironside” was one of the first new shows to bow out last fall. Star power alone couldn’t save the affable-but-generic “The Michael J. Fox Show.” J.J. Abrams’ post-apocalyptic series “Revolution” had its plug pulled after two seasons. “Will & Grace” alum Sean Hayes couldn’t save “Sean Saves the World.”“Welcome to the Family” was simply unwelcome, getting yanked after three episodes—and yet somehow it continues to air on STAR World India.